Exploring Sanchez Peak: First Hike in the Philippines

My wife and I recently traveled back to visit her family in General Santos City (GenSan), located near the Philippine province of South Cotabato in the large southern island of Mindanao. Known as the “Tuna Capital of the Philippines”, GenSan is not only the top producer of tuna within the country, but catches the second highest volume of all fish in the Philippines.

Fish, however, was not the topic on my mind during our trip as the island of Mindanao is mountainous and full of lush jungles ripe for adventure and exploration. On previous trips to GenSan, I’d remained mostly within city limits and hadn’t taken advantage of what lies beyond.

The only problem was that July happened to be the start of the heavy rain season, so many trails were not ideal for new hikers in the region. Our friends suggested hiking Sanchez Peak at the edge of city limits, which at around 600m (~2000 feet) above sea level was the highest point of the city. It even has grounds for camping overnight.

Due to the family gathering, it was the first time all our nephews had all been together in town in a few years, and everyone was itching to get out of the house. A hike was the best way to go! Rounded up the fam, and off we went.

Locating the trailhead was an adventure in itself.  Thankfully, my sister-in-law sent one of her friends, a local guide, with us to help us find the start of the trail. We likely never would have found the trail entrance otherwise, so I highly recommend hiring a local guide if you’re unfamiliar with the area.

The Trek Up

There are several trails up Sanchez Peak, but we opted for the shortest route due to the late hour and impending rain. It was wide, rocky, and frequented by both hikers and dirt bikes (many of these trails are designed for commerce and access to farms around the mountain).

I was a little out of shape, so the trail was a little more difficult than it should have been, but we made it to the top just as the sun was setting. Due to the off and on rain, the campsite was a little foggy when we got there.

By nightfall we had a clear view overlooking the city lights sprawling across General Santos City. Unfortunately I didn’t bring my good camera as I was expecting more rain and I didn’t have a weather cover for it yet. The pictures from my phone didn’t do it justice, so I scrapped them.

The Scenic Route Back

After a simple breakfast, the boys suggested a backwoods trail down that was rarely traveled due to how steep it was. They excitedly spoke about a lagoon at the end of the trail where we could rest before heading back to town. It sounded good so I agreed, before realizing we hadn’t packed enough water for the much longer trail back. Too late, we were on our way!

Parts of the trail were incredibly narrow with dirt bike impressions being the only trail in some areas. This was fine for the other guys, but my sasquatch sized feet were the same width as the tire grooves, making it a very difficult trek for me.

The incredible views, alternating between open mountain landscapes and dense jungle, were worth the challenge though.

After several hours we made it at last to “Olarte Cave” a “blue lagoon” swimming hole with a nearby shop for refreshments.

After some relaxation in the spring and a restock on water at the local shop, it was time for the last leg of the hike. We crossed over some river beds, some with a shallow stream and some were more empty but would soon fill up as the rainy season progresses.

The rest of the trail was better maintained due to the popularity of the lagoon, making our final steps out easier.

After beating up my ankles on the rocks and narrow trails down, I will likely avoid the back route next round. I still thoroughly enjoyed the hike and am glad I got to experience it. Mindanao has even more spectacular adventures waiting for my next trip back - Lake Holon, 7 Falls at Lake Sebu, Mt. Matutum, and the majestic Mt. Apo are all calling my name!

I’ll be sure to bring a real camera next time!